Pacers' Carlisle fined $35,000 by NBA for criticizing referees, implying bias against small markets
Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has been fined $35,000 by the NBA for criticizing the officials and “questioning the integrity of the league” with his pleas for fairness for small-market teams
By Brian Mahoney
Published - May 10, 2024, 11:51 AM ET
Last Updated - May 27, 2024, 12:59 AM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle was fined $35,000 by the NBA on Friday for criticizing the officials and “questioning the integrity of the league” with his pleas for fairness for small-market teams.
Carlisle made his comments after the Pacers' 130-121 loss to the New York Knicks on Wednesday. He was called for two technical fouls and ejected late in the game as Indiana fell into a 2-0 hole in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Carlisle complained about a number of missed calls, which the Pacers subsequently sent to the league for review, and implied a bias in favor of New York.
“Small-market teams deserve an equal shot,” he said. “They deserve a fair shot no matter where they are playing.”
